Western Maryland Research & Education Center

Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting 

Keedysville, MD – The University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research and Education Center is excited to announce the annual Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2026. This valuable event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756. 

Join us for a comprehensive day dedicated to the commercial fruit industry. This meeting provides commercial fruit growers with the latest updates in pesticide and nutrient management, regulatory changes, and recent research. Sessions are led by industry experts and University of Maryland Extension specialists, offering practical guidance and new insights to support successful fruit production. Attending this meeting counts toward recertification for continuing education credits (CEUs) for individuals holding a current and valid license in Maryland and West Virginia for Pesticide Recertification Training and Maryland Nutrient Management Voucher. 

The cost to attend the workshop is $40* before February 5, 2026, and $45* thereafter. Your registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and educational handouts. Don’t miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with fellow industry professionals. For more information and to register, please visit https://go.umd.edu/WMFM 

*There is an additional processing fee from Eventbrite to pay by credit card.

MAIL-IN REGISTRATION: Downloadable PDF Fruit Meeting registration form

Agenda (subject to change)

MORNING SESSION

• 8:30 a.m. - Registration & Continental Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. - Introductions & Program Overview
  Dr. Joseph Fiola, Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, UME, WMREC, Keedysville, MD.
• 9:10 a.m. - Nutrient Management Update & Recertification
  Bryan Harris, Implementation Coordinator, NMP, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 9:40 a.m. - Pesticide Regulatory Update & Recertification 
  Rob Hofstetter, Program Manager, Pesticide Regulation Section, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 10:10 a.m. - Break & Visit Displays
• 10:30 a.m. - Connecting the Dots Between Winter Injury and Rapid Apple Decline
  Dr. Lisa Tang, Research Horticulturist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 10:55 a.m. -  From Lab to Field: Understand Root Architecture in Drought Responses of Apple Rootstocks 
  Dr. Brett Shelly, Horticulturist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 11:20 p.m. - Orchard and Nursery Trials with Our Patented Maryland Apple Trees - Speeding Up the Process
  Dr. Chris Walsh, Emeritus Professor, Horticulture, PSLA, UMD
• 12:00 p.m. - Lunch & Visit Displays

AFTERNOON SESSION

• 1:00 p.m. - Maryland State Horticultural Society (MSHS) & Maryland Apple Promotion Board Update
  Chuck Schuster, MSHS Executive Director; Bill Gardenhour, Apple Promotion Board Update, Gardenhour Orchards, Smithsburg, MD
• 1:15 p.m. - Strawberry Neopestalotiopsis and its Impact in Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Fields 
  Dr. Mengjun Hu, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology or Samantha Ann Hasselhoff, Research Graduate Assistant, Plant Pathology, PSLA, UMD
• 1:40 p.m.-  The Effect of Fumigants on the Inoculum of Strawberry Neopestalotiopsis Species 
  Dr. Galvin Alonzo Ortiz, Post-Doctoral Candidate, Plant Pathology, PSLA, UMD
• 2:10 p.m. -  Strategies for Managing Pome Fruit Rots 
  Dr. Tami Collum, Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 2:35 p.m. - Break
  2:55 p.m. - Slug and SWD Management Reminders
  Dr. Kelly Hamby, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology, UMD
• 3:25 p.m. - Updates on Plum Curculio and Lepidopteran Decision Support Tools and Management Tactics
  Brian Ruether, Research Scientist and Tracy Leskey, Director/Research Leader, Entomology USDA
• 3:55 p.m. - Discussion Questions, Comments, Pesticide and Nutrient Management Recertification, Program Evaluation, and Adjourn
   

Topics include:
Scouting/Field Assessment Technology
Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
Pest Management
Animal Waste Technology
Irrigation & Drainage
Livestock Management

University of Maryland Extension invites grazers, livestock owners, and associated industry personnel to attend an upcoming parasite management workshop this fall.

The parasite management workshop will be held on November 8, 2025 at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, MD from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The workshop will include a mix of classroom and hands-on activities and will provide a comprehensive overview of the basics of parasite management. Topics covered will include an overview of common parasites, managing dewormer resistance, fecal collection and fecal egg counts, putting together a deworming kit, minimizing parasites on pasture, calculating dosages and drenching, body condition scoring, and FAMACHA© scoring.

Participants will have the option to earn their FAMACHA© certification from a certified FAMACHA© instructor (via the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control) and receive an official FAMACHA© score card at the event. Certification will be available to the first 25 people who request certification when registering for the event. 

Registration for this event is required, for full details and registration information please visit https://go.umd.edu/parasite. Keep in mind that portions of this event will take place outdoors, so please dress accordingly for the weather.

For more information on all upcoming forage events visit https://go.umd.edu/forageevents or sign up for our monthly newsletter at https://go.umd.edu/forageemails. If you have questions or need accommodations please contact Amanda Grev (agrev@umd.edu; 301-226-7575) or Brittany Fletcher (bfletch1@umd.edu; 301-226-7576). If you need reasonable accommodations to participate please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event. Hope to see you there!

Please join us to welcome Dean Powers to UMD and AGNR. There are several location and dates for you to join us at, check the calendar to see dates and location. Please register with link provided.

Event: Pasture Walk at University of Maryland - WMREC
Date: November 13, 2025  |  Thursday
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  |  Cost: free
Location: WMREC, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedsyville, MD 21756
Description: Join University of Maryland Extension and NRCS for an educational pasture walk at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, MD (Washington county). Extension educators are working on an ongoing mixed-species grazing management study utilizing annual forages as a means to extend the grazing season and will discuss grazing and parasite management, mixed-species grazing, and strategies for working annual forages into a pasture system. Join us to hear preliminary findings and learn about winter annual forage options for late fall/early spring grazing, stockpiled forage for winter grazing, and managing a mixed-species grazing 'flerd' with sheep and cattle.
For more information or to register: https://go.umd.edu/pasture-november

June 10: Health Insurance Management, build up your skills to better understand, manage, resolve, and avoid health cost conflicts.
June 17: MIND Diet, nutrition for better brain health
June 24: Emotional Grief, managing grief and loss through narrative
July 1: Kitchen Eye Spy, learn best practices to save food and maintain your health

Note: One Zoom link will cover all four sessions.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact the educator, Dr. Henley, on or before May 8th, 2025, at shenley@umd.edu

Join us at lunchtime (on your cell phone or computer) as Paul Goeringer discusses current legal issues farmers on Delmarva are facing, including, the Open Fields Doctrine. Paul will also be giving updates on other legal hot topics as well and taking any questions you may have.

The University of Maryland Extension and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will host an all-day workshop focusing on fruits, insects, and management on Wednesday, February 19th, at the Wye Research and Education Center, 124 Wye Narrows Drive in Queenstown.

Keedysville, MD – The University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research and Education Center is excited to announce the annual Western Maryland Regional Fruit Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2025. This valuable event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756.

Join us for a comprehensive day dedicated to the commercial fruit industry, featuring updates on pesticide and nutrient management and other essential information for tree and small fruit production. Industry experts and representatives from the University of Maryland Extension will provide insights that are vital for growers and producers.

Attending this meeting counts toward recertification for continuing education credits (CEUs) for individuals holding a current and valid license in Maryland and West Virginia for Pesticide Recertification Training and Nutrient Management Voucher.

• MARYLAND Recertification Training Commercial/Public Agency/Consultant/Private-6 credits in Categories 1A, 10*,CORE, PVT*
• WEST VIRGINIA Pesticide Recertification Training-5 credits in Cat 1-5, Cat 11-5, Cat 12-5, Cat PA-4
• MARYLAND Nutrient Management Program- 2 hours

The cost to attend the workshop is $40 prior to February 6, 2025, and $45 thereafter. Your registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and educational handouts.

Don’t miss the opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with fellow industry professionals. For more information and to register, please visit https://go.umd.edu/WMFM-2025.

AGENDA (Tentative-subject to change)

MORNING SESSION

• 8:30 a.m. Registration Check-In & Continental Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. Introductions & Program Overview, Dr. Joseph Fiola, Specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit, UME, WMREC, Keedysville, MD
• 9:10 a.m. Nutrient Management Update & Recertification, Bryan Harris, Implementation Coordinator NMP, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 9:40 a.m. Pesticide Regulatory Update & Recertification,Rob Hofstetter, Program Manager, Pesticide Regulation Section, MDA, Annapolis, MD
• 10:10 a.m. Break & Visit Displays
• 10:30 a.m. Apple Fruit Harvest and Management, Macarena Farcuh, Assistant Professor, Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, UMD
• 11:15 a.m. Reminders for Managing Cane Borers, Strawberry Rootworm, and Sap Beetles, Kelly Hamby, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology, UMD
• 12:00 p.m. Lunch & Visit Displays

AFTERNOON SESSION

• 1:00 p.m. Maryland State Horticultural Society (MSHS) & Maryland Apple Promotion Board Update,Chuck Schuster, MSHS Executive Director; Bill Gardenhour, Apple Promotion Board Update, Gardenhour Orchards, Smithsburg, MD
• 1:15 p.m. Strawberry Neopestalotiopsis and its Impact in Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Fields, Samantha Ann Hasselhoff, Research Graduate Assistant, Plant Pathology, PSLA, UMD
• 1:55 p.m. Orchard “IPM” Research Update, Dr. Laura Nixon, Visiting Scientist, Entomology, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station
• 2:30 p.m. Break & Visit Displays
• 2:50 p.m. Tree Fruit Horticulture Update, Dr. Lisa Tang, Horticulturist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV
• 3:30 p.m. Managing Apple Production in Warmer, Wetter, Windier, Wackier Weather, Dr. Chris Walsh, Emeritus Professor, Horticulture, PSLA, UMD
• 4:00 p.m. Discussion Questions, Comments, Pesticide and Nutrient Management Recertification, Program Evaluation, and Adjourn

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at (301) 432-2767.

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.